Chute for concrete mixers



March 23, 1954 Q GERST 2,672,966

CHUTE FOR CONCRETE MIXERS 5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Feb. 14, 1952 III INVENTOR. C/Z'S a/521.

March 2 3, 1954 Filed Feb. 14, 1952 ,CGE-RST CHUTE EoR CONCRETE MIxERs 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 (afa 26 INI/EN T 0R.`

March 23, 1954 Filed Feb. 14, 1952 Imm, 46

C. GERST CHUTE FOR CONCRETE MIXERS 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 ll uw I I j I. a# *i* \p) \b INVENTOR.

C. GERST CHUTE FOR CONCRETE MIXERS March 23, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 14, 1952 INVENTOR. (//fz f2-frs Z March 23, 1954 C, GERS-r 2,672,966

CHUTE FOR CONCRETE MIXERS Filed Feb# 14, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 fn l 272 sx ill/l 1N VEN TOR.

3 pair of arms 28, one end of each of which is secured to one of the splined ends 30 of a horizontal shaft 32 rotatably mounted in housing 26. A U-shaped yoke member 34 is pivotally connected at its upper ends to the receiving end of the chute I8 as indicated at 36. Arms 38 are secured to the horizontal portion of the U-shaped yoke 34 as by welding, and in effect form integral extensions of the arms of the yoke 34. The arms 38 each have a pivotal connection indicated at 48 with one of the arms 28, the pivotal connection 48 being located between the shaft 32 and the other end of the arms 28.

The arms 28 may be bent, as is best shown in Fig. 6, so that their outer ends thereof may be secured together. A link 42 has a pivotal connection with the outer ends of arms 28 and is also pivotally connected to a bracket 44 secured to the under side of chute |8 adjacent its outer end. A link 46 is pivotally mounted on yoke 34 between the arms 38 and is also pivotally connected to the bifurcated end of a pin 48 by means of a. cross pin 50, the pin 48 projecting upwardly from housing 26 and being rotatably mounted in a bearing 52 provided on the end of the upper frame arm 22. The above described linkage effects vertical movement of the chute I8 in a prescribed path upon swinging movement of arms 28. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1-4, the chute I8 may be swiveled manually into any desired position but is provided with a power operated device for raising and lowering the chute.

The power operated means for raising and lowering the chute may comprise suitable gearing arranged within the lower housing 24 and rotatable housing 26 and adapted to be operated by a crank 54 projecting laterally from one side of the housing 24. Referring more particularly to Fig. 4, it will be seen that the shaft 32 to which the arms 28 are rigidly secured has a sector gear 56 secured thereto within the housing 26. The shaft 58 to which the crank 54 is secured projects into housing 24 and may be provided with a bevel gear on the inner end thereof adapted to mesh with a bevel gear 60 suitably secured to a shaft 62 journaled in bearings 64 mounted in housing 24. The other end of shaft 62 is provided with a bevel gear 66 arranged to mesh with the bevel gear 68 secured to the lower end of a shaft 18 journaled in ball bearings 'l2 and 14 mounted in housing 24. The upper end of the shaft 18 is journaled in a ball bearing 16 mounted in the upper end of housing 26, and the shaft is supported for rotation within the housing 26 about a vertical axis. It will be apparent that rotation of crank 54 will effect rotation of shaft 10 by means of the gear arrangement just described.

The shaft 1D is provided with a worm gear portion indicated at 18 which is adapted to mesh with the teeth formed on sector gear 56 so that rotation of shaft 10 by means of crank 54 will effect oscillation of gear 56 thereby causing swinging movement of arms 28 which are connected to shaft 32 for movement therewith. Swinging movement of arms 28 as just described will cause vertical movement of chute |8 between the full line and dotted line positions thereof shown in Fig. l. V

The upper end of housing 26 within which the bearing 16 is arranged is provided with a cover member 88 secured to the housing 26 by a series of bolts 82. The pin 48 is secured to the cover member 80 and projects upwardly therefrom 75 to arms through an opening 84 provided in the bearing 52 mounted on arm 22.

The lower end of housing 26 is provided with a bore 86 having a finished surface and adapted to receive an upwardly projecting collar 88 formed on housing 24. Housing 26 is rotatablysupported about the collar 88 of housing 24 and a suitable gasket or sealing member 98 may be arranged between the housing 24 and housing 26, as shown. VSince shaft 18 is rotatably supported within housing 24, the housing 26, the shaft 32 and its sector gear 56, and the arms 28. as well as pin 48, will be free to rotate on housing 24 about the vertical axis of shaft 18 when the chute is manually swiv eled to a desired position.

The gearing arrangement described permits the vertical position of the chute to be very quickly and easily adjusted and eliminates the need for adjustable links or clamps between the chute and its mounting structure. j The chute will remain fixed at any elevation to which it is brought by means of the friction inherent in the gear arrangement previously described.

The crgank 54 is shown as being located to one side of the housing 24 which is located at the center of the rear end of the mixer. In order to facilitate operation of the device in the event that crank 54 might at some time be inaccessible to the operator, an additional operating means might be provided which would be located at a different position on the mixer than the crank 54. Such an arrangement is partially disclosed in Figs. l and 4 and may include a bevel gear 92 adapted to mesh with gear 68 and mounted on shaft e4 journaled in bearing 96- which is mounted in a collar 98 suitably secured to housing 24. The upper end of shaft 84 may be connected in any suitable manner (not shown) to an operating lever or crank or hand wheel or the like which may be positioned in any desired location on the mixer or truck chassis.

Figs. 5 and 6 disclose a modified form of the invention. In this embodiment the frame member |28 is adapted to be secured to the mixer frame |2 in a suitable manner and a support member |26 is supported by the frame member |20 for rotation about a vertical axis. The support member |26 includes brackets |28 secured thereto at its upper and lower ends. The frame member includes upper and lower arms |30 and |32 having bearing blocks |34 secured thereto. The inner surfaces of the brackets |28 seat against the bearing blocks |34 and a vertically arranged shaft |36 is journaled in apertures provided in the brackets |28 and bearings |34. The `shaft |36 is provided at its lower end with a head |38 and a nut |40 is threaded on to the upper end of the shaft for rotatably securing the support |26 to the frame |28.

Arms |42 are pivotally connected to support member |26 by means of a pin indicated at |44 which extends through an aperture in the support |26 and through aligned Aapertures in one end of the arms |42. 'I'he pin |44 is journaled in sleeves |46 and |48 suitably secured to arms |42 and support |26 respectively. The other ends of arms |42 are pivotally Aconnected to a link 42 similar to the link employed in the embodimentof Figs. 1 4, the link 42 having a pivotal connection with vthe chute I8 adjacent its discharge end. In this embodiment the yoke member 34 is similarly connected to the chute I8 at its material receiving end, and arms 38 rigidly secured to yoke 34 are pivotally connected |42between the ends of the arms |42.

The support member |26 is provided with an integral bracket |50, and link 46 is pivotally ommcctedv to Yoke 34 and to bracket |56. This embodiment of the invention is essentially similar to that disclosed in Figs. 1-4 exceptthat the chute kis adapted to be swung manually into a selected vertical position ratherV than by lmeans of the power lift disclosed in Fig. 1. An adjustable connection between arms |42 and the sup- Dort member |26 is provided, and this connection may comprise a-series of aperturesy |52 in the support |26 and a pin |54 mounted on one f the arms |42 and receivable within one of the apertures |52 for fixing the chuteV at a selected elevation. The Din |54 projects through an opening in one of the arms |42 and through a similar opening provided in brackets |56 se- Cured to the arms |42, The pin |54 is provided with a shoulder |58 for limiting the movement thereof under the influence of a spring |60 which is conned between the arm |42 and a Washer |62v backed by a Vpin Y |64 extending through the pin |54. The pin |54 is biasedA into its locking position by a spring |66 and when it is desired to shift the elevation of the chute, the nin maybe withdrawn from the aperture in the Supportk |26 and the chute moved into the de- Siret! elevation, and subsequent to release of pin |54 will allow the same to project into another ofthe apertures |52 forlocking the chute relative to the support |26.

.A third embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8, and in this embodiment power means are providedy for both swiveling movement of the chute about a vertical axis and for swinging movement about a horizontal axis. A frame member 229 is adapted to b-e suitably secured to the mixer frame and a supporting housing 224 is suitably secured to the frame 220. A housing- 226 is supported by the housing 224 and is rotatable relative thereto about a vertical axis. Arms 228 are rigidly secured to a shaft 232 which is journaled in housing 226. A link 42 has a pivotal connection with the outer end of arms 228 andy with a bracket 44 secured to the under side of the chute adiacent its discharge end'. The material receiving end of thev chute is provided with a bracket 234 to which an arm 236 is pivotally connected at one end thereof, the arm 236 being suitably secured to or integral' with the casting which forms thehousing 226.

The lower housing 224 is provided with a vertically arranged portion 2.28 having a vertically arranged shaft 240 ,iournaled therein. The lower end of the shaft 24|! is provided with a bevel gear 242 retained thereon by a nut 244 and adapted to mesh with bevel gear 246 provided on the end of a shaft 248 journaled in a suitable bearing and extending through a cover plate 256 and provided at its outer end with a crank lever or the like 252 secured to the shaft by means of a nut 254. Rotation of crank 252-will eifect rotationv of shaft 24|! bv means of the intermeshing of bevel gears 242 and 246.

The'upper end of shaft 246 is ,iournaled in a bearing 256 mounted in housing 226, and a worm wheel 258 is formed on or secured Yto the upper end of shaft 246 and arranged within housing 226. The shaft 232 to which the arms 228 are secured has a sector gear 26-'I rigidly secured thereto and the teeth 262 of the gear 266 are adapted to mesh with the'worin wheel 258 so that rotation of shaft 24|) by means of crank will effect oscillation of gear 266 and therecorresponding vertical movement of chute I8. Inv

Fig. 7 the shaft 248 is shown as being arranged in line with the axis of the mixer, although such showing is for purposes of clarity of illus tration only, ranged so that it projects laterally from one side of the housing 224 as illustrated in Fig. 8.

A shaft 210 is journaled in housing 224 and is provided with a worm 212 adapted to mesh with vthe teeth of the worm wheel 214 which is secured to a flange 216 depending from housing, 226 and arranged concentric with portion 238' of housing 224 and the shaft 240. A ball bearing 21s is interposed between the worm wheel 214 and the portion 238 of housingv 224 on which the bearing 218 also mounted on of housing 224, and housing 226 and the worm wheel 214 secured thereto are adapted to rotate on bearings 213 and 286 relative to housing 224 about the vertical axis of shaft 24|! upon rotation of worm shaft 21|) by means of a suitable hand wheel or crank 282 which may be secured thereto exteriorly of the housing 224.

The mounting means for the chute and the means of electing both horizontal and vertical movement of the chute as disclosed in the modh iication shown in Figs. 7 and 8 provides an ar'-I rangement which permits very rapid adjustment of the chute to any desired position and one which requires a minimum of effort and timeto be expended bv the operator in discharging the contents of the drum to a desired' locaE tion.

While I have illustrated and described preferred embodiments of my invention. it is un` derstcod that these are capable of modification and I therefore do not wish to bev limited to the precise details set forth but desire to avail myself of such changes and alterations as` fall within the purview of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a concrete miser having a rotatable drum provided with an opening through which thel material in said drum may be discharged and a distributing chute arranged below said opening and adapted to receive and distribute the mate rial discharged through said opening., mounting vmeans for said chute comprising a frame memberattached to the mixer, a housing supported by said frame member for rotation about a vertical axis, a horizontal axle rotatably mounted in said housing, an arm having one end thereof secured-'- to said axle providing for swinging movement of' said arm relative to said housingk about a horizontal axis, a link pivotally connected to said chute adjacent the discharge end thereof and pivoted to the other end of said arm, a yoke pivotally connected to the materialv receiving endY of said chute and pivoted to `said arm inter.- mediate the ends of said arm, a link pivotaliy connected to said yoke and to said housing for effecting vertical movement of 'said' chute inA a prescribed path upon swinging movement of said arm, a vertically arranged shaft rotatablymounted in vsaid housing and having a worm gear thereon, a sector gearA on said axle adapted to mesh with said worm gear for effecting swinging movement of said arm upon rotation of said shaft, and manually operable crank means operably connected to said shaft for effecting vswinging movement of said arm thereby raising and lowering said chute.

2. In a concrete mixer having a rotatable drum the shaft 248 actually being en is mounted. A bearing 280 is. the upper end of portion 238.v

provided with an opening through which the material in said drum may be discharged and a distributing chute arranged below said opening and adapted to receive and distribute the material discharged through said opening, mounting means for said chute comprising a frame member attached to the mixer, a support member supported by said frame member for rotation about a vertical axis, an arm having one end thereof connected to said support member for swinging movement of said arm relative to said support member about a horizontal axis, a link pivotally connected to said chute adjacent the discharge end thereof and pivoted to the other end of said arm, a yoke pivotally connected to the material receiving end of said chute and pivoted to said arm intermediate the ends of said arm, a link pivotally connected to said support member and having a pivotal connection with said yoke between said chute and said arm for effecting vertical movement of said chute in a predetermined path upon swinging movement of said arm, and means connecting said arm and said support member for adjustably supporting said arm at a selected elevation.

3. In a concrete mixer having a rotatable drum provided with an opening through which the material in said drum may be discharged and a distributing chute arranged below said opening and adapted to receive and distribute the mate- I rial discharged through said opening, mounting means for said chute comprising a frame member attached to the mixer, a housing supported by said frame member for rotation about a vertical axis, a horizontal axle rotatably mounted in said housing, an arm having one end thereof secured to said axle providing for swinging movement of said arm relative to said housing about a horizontal axis, means pivotally connecting said chute to said arm for effecting vertical move- I ment of said chute in a prescribed path upon swinging movement of said arm, a vertically arranged shaft rotatably mounted in said housing and having a worm gear thereon, a sector gear on said axle adapted to mesh with said worm gear for effecting swinging movement of said arm and chute upon rotation of said shaft, and manually operable means connected to said shaft for effecting rotation thereof thereby effecting vertical movement of said chute.

4. In a concrete mixer having a rotatable drum provided with an opening therein through which the material in said drum may be discharged and a distributing chute arranged below said opening and adapted to receive and distribute the material'discharged through said opening, mounting means for said chute comprising a frame member adapted to be attached to the mixer, a housing supported by said frame member for rotation about a vertical axis, anarm mounted on said housing for swinging movement about a horizontal axis, means pivotally connecting said chute and said arm for effecting vertical adjustment ofrsaid chute upon swinging movement of said arm, a shaft rotatably mounted in said housing forrotation about a vertical axis, gear means in said'housing and xedly connected to said arm, gear means on said shaft rneshed with the gear means connected to said arm for effecting swinging movement of said arm upon rotation of said shaft, and manually operable means connected to said shaft for effecting rotation thereof theresaid gear wheel and said arm, and a by causing vertical movement of said arm and chute.

5. In a concrete mixer having an opening therein through which material in said drum may be discharged and a distributing chute arranged below said opening and adapted to receive and distribute the material discharged through said opening, mounting means for said chute comprising a frame member adapted to be attached to the mixer, a lower housing secured to said frame member, a housing rotatably mounted on said lower housing for rotation about a vertical axis, a vertically arranged shaft rotatably supported by said lower housing and projecting into said rotatable housing, a horizontal axle rotatably journalled in said rotatable housing, an arm having one end thereof secured to said axle providing for swinging of said arm about a horizontal axis, means pivotally connecting said chute and said arm thereby effecting vertical movement of said chute upon swinging movement of said arm, a sector gear secured to said axle within said rotatable housing, a worm gear on said shaft cooperable with said sector gear for effecting swinging movement of said arm and said chute upon rotation of said shaft, manually operable means operabl'y connected to said shaft for effecting rotation of said shaft thereby causing vertical movement of said chute, said rotatable housing having a portion thereof depending into said lower housing, a gear wheel on said portion of said rotatable housing and concentric with said shaft, and manually operable gear means cooperating with operable for effecting rotation of said housing about the axis of said shaft.

e. Supporting structure for the material distributing chute of a concrete mixer comprising a vsupport member rotatable about a vertical axis, an arm pivoted at one end to said support for swinging movement about a horizontal axis, a link pivoted to one end of said chute and to the other end of said arm, a coupling member pivoted to the other end of said chute and to link pivoted to said support and to said coupling member for effecting vertical movement of said chute in a prescribed path upon swinging movement of said arm.

7. Supporting structure according to claim 6 including means associated with said arm and said support and operable for supporting said chute at a selected elevation.

8. Supporting structure according to claim 6 including gear means connected to said arm and adapted to effect swinging movement thereof,v

and manually operable means for operating said gear means.

9. Supporting structure according to claim 6 wherein said support is provided with a plurality of apertures therein, and including pin means movably mounted on said arm and receivable in said apertures for adjustably supporting said chute at a selected elevation.

CHRIS GERST.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 697,653 Norton Apr. 15, 1902 1,476,892 Jaeger Dec. 11, 1923 1,524,334 Brown Jan. 27, 1925 2,257,161 Draeger Sept. 30, 1941 v movement 

